jjpb3

What can I look forward to when I fly in Raffles Class?

As MAN Flyer once noted to someone about to try SQ, it’s in the front cabins that SQ really sets itself apart. Let’s list what your Raffles Class boarding pass entitles you to:

• Access to SilverKris Lounges. (Of course, your Raffles Class BP also entitles you to entry into any *A business class lounge.) In particular, the SKL in Singapore is, as can be expected, one of the best in the world, with a fantastic buffet, WiFi access, and a host of Internet terminals. It has a very soothing atmosphere – except in the early morning, late afternoon and late night crushes, when it gets horribly packed – but unfortunately lacks a view of the aircraft. Currently, you’re greeted by a gracious smiling hostess or host as you enter the lounge. We fear this will be replaced by automated entry.
• On most flights, a larger 10.4” screen for viewing KrisWorld (some regional aircraft still use the smaller screens)
• In-seat power. The plugs are not the standard UK (and SIN and HKG) 3-pronged plugs, but the cabin crew will lend you an adapter if you need one
• Connexion where available. Connexion is also described in the FAQ section on economy class, but in Raffles, you won't need to deal with issues about laptop power or cramped conditions
• A much higher cabin crew-to-pax ratio … and you will feel the difference. Where efficiency rules in economy class, more individualized service is now the byword. The consistently high level of service is a wonder to experience
• A Raffles Class stationery set upon request. It’s a nice little memento from your flight
• SpaceBeds for most* long-haul flights and a selection of regional flights. Unlike the business class seats of BA or VS, a SpaceBed is not horizontal (180 degrees), but as inclined business seats go, it’s very comfortable. It’s supposedly the biggest (i.e., widest) business class seat in the air (at 69 cm / 27 inches with the armrests retracted). It’s also one of the longest (at 198 cm / 6 ft 6 inches). With a seat pitch of 58 inches on the 744 and 64 inches on the A345, this makes for a pretty roomy ride. For a look at the features of the SpaceBed, see the online demonstration. A number of flyers, however, have found Spacebeds relatively uncomfortable in certain positions. See this thread for a brief discussion, and this one for a fuller one. [Note: SQ will roll out new cabin designs beginning Dec 2006. See this thread for details.]
  
  Note: When you’re on a regional flight, chances are high that you won’t get a SpaceBed. In case you don’t get a SpaceBed, you’ll get one of the regional J class seats, which aren’t flat, have a pitch of 50 inches, and whose PTV may come without the Wisemen 3000 (AVOD). The best explanation of differences in regional seating comes from our zen-calm StarG in this post, with an amendment by shortfinals discussed here. The regional seats are still pretty comfortable (for comparison, try tavelling in intra-Europe business class ); it's just that the non-SpaceBeds are nothing special.
  
  * The discussion of which flights feature the SpaceBed follows the section on "Book the Cook".
  
  For a peek at what the Raffles Class cabins look like, browse through shortfinals' very helpful album of photographs.
  
• Very good food served on plates designed for Raffles Class. If you want an inkling of what is offered in Raffles, consult this sample of menus. And make sure you don’t miss some of the items that have attained cult status: the satay starter, whose reported disappearance (turned out to be a false alarm) recently triggered a search mission among FTers, and the Kris Chilli sauce, which counts a group of devoted fans among FTers
• And if you’d rather know what will be served to you ahead of time, you may choose to “Book the Cook”

What is “Book the Cook”?

“Book the Cook” (BTC) is SQ’s special menu service to Raffles and First Class passengers. It allows you to choose your main dish from a menu that depends on the specific city of departure (namely SIN, AMS, DBX, EWR, FRA, HKG, JFK, LHR, LAX, MEL, NRT, SFO, SYD, TPE). To find what options are available on your particular flight, click on the appropriate link on this page.

Call SQ reservations once you have a booking. You can also BTC through your travel agent. If you decide to book through the website, you can place your BTC request when you purchase. Note that a 24-hour window is required to BTC.

In Raffles, BTC is available only for lunch or dinner. For most long-haul flights, this means you can BTC for one of the two meals you’ll have on board. But if you’re on a flight with a lunch and dinner service, you can BTC for both meals. (First Class passengers can BTC breakfast as well.)

Think of BTC as expanding your possibilities. You can BTC for a specific item, but if, on the day of your flight, you like an item on the regular menu, you can ask the cabin crew for that item instead. Only if the cabin is full will you be unable to exploit this alternative.

SQ regulars share their BTC recommendations in this thread and in this one. To search for BTC recommendations on particular routes, open this thread, and then use the 'search this thread' option.


How do I know whether my flight will have SpaceBeds?

The primary clue lies in the plane model, with additional clues supplied by the route and class configuration. One way to check on the scheduled aircraft is to do a dummy booking on the SQ website for the flights you are interested in.

Once you know the plane model, you can get more clues from the seating configuration. B777-200s with the SpaceBeds will have a 2-2-2 configuration in Raffles, those without will have a 2-3-2 configuration. If you have access to www.seatmap.com, you can identify the configuration of the plane for a particular flight.

Here’s a little cheat-sheet ( = SpaceBed, = No SpaceBed):If it’s any consolation, the 744 without the SpaceBeds has the Ultimo Seats, which have additional pitch (52 inches vs. 50 inches – ooooh ).


Which seats in Raffles Class are the best?

For the Megatops, FTers gravitate towards the upper deck exit row seats, row 17. Seats 17A and 17C, however, may be reserved in advance only by PPS members. This leaves you with the freedom to gun for 17H or 17K. For the Jubilees, the bulkhead row (11) tends to be the favorite. FTers' discussions about Raffles Class seating can be found here and here.

But honestly, would you be that distraught if you don’t get the ‘best seat’? Just think about how many economy class passengers would dearly love to swap seats with you.